Teatro Ariston

A short history of the Ariston

The theatre was built by Aristide Vacchino, who owned cinemas in Sanremo, hence the name. Works began in 1953 and the hall opened on 31 May 1963 with a concert by the Sanremo Symphony Orchestra and the film “Mutiny on the Bounty”. It has long worked as a cinema and theatre, and the Vacchino family still runs it, with shows, films and concerts all year, including the Premio Tenco.

The Festival did not start here: the first 26 editions, from 1951 to 1976, were held in the ballroom of the Casino. Since 1977 the contest has been at the Ariston, except in 1990, when it moved to the Flower Market in Valle Armea. The main hall has about 2,000 seats.

The behind-the-scenes tour

The official site offers the Ariston Tour, a guided visit of about 60 minutes through Italy’s most famous theatre. You meet in the theatre lobby and the ticket desk opens 30 minutes before the start. Days and times change by season and are only indicative, so book on the official site rather than turning up. There is no audio guide and the site does not say which languages the tour is in: ask first if you need a language other than Italian. No tours run during the Festival or on event days.

Outside: the Walk of Fame and via Matteotti

The Sanremo Walk of Fame starts in front of the theatre: along via Matteotti there are plaques in the pavement with the winner’s name, year and song for each edition from 1951. Follow the street toward the Casino, or the other way into the pedestrian shopping area. During Festival week the free concerts are held in piazza Colombo, a few minutes’ walk away.

Festival tickets: how it works

You cannot simply buy tickets. For the 2026 edition sales were handled by Vivaticket: a prior registration (22 December 2025 to 8 January 2026), a choice of night and section (stalls or gallery), a random draw in front of a notary, and a maximum of two tickets per person. Registering does not guarantee a purchase. Prices are very high and vary by night and section. For the next edition, check the dates and rules on the official Festival and Rai channels, and avoid anyone selling tickets elsewhere.

Getting there and practical tips

The Ariston is a few minutes on foot from Sanremo station, on via Matteotti, the main pedestrian street. If you drive, park in a central car park and walk. During the Festival the area is fenced off and crowded: if you only want to see the theatre and the plaques, come at another time of year. Combine it with a walk around Sanremo, including La Pigna and the seafront.